DESCRIPTION
Restore fish passage by removing the blocking culvert on Green Cove Creek at Country Club Rd. This barrier is a total blockage, removing it would open up two miles of spawning and rearing habitat. Two additional culverts on Green Cove are also blockages (SPSSEG 2019) and are being considered for replacement.
Thurston County placed a 3' plastic sliplining throughout the culvert to help prevent failure. As a condition of there HPA, the County must fix the full barrier by 2024. Conceptual designs paid for by TC are underway, exploring alternatives. Full design request are being considered by the BAFBRB.
This grant request is for design of a new fish passage structure within Green Cove Creek at the crossing of Country Club Road. The current culvert has been identified as a fish blockage by WDFW and WRIA 13. WRIA 13 recognizes Green Cove Creek as their highest priority project within the watershed. This project is included in Thurston County's 2020-2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and will address the existing fish passage barrier with a full span structure. This grant request would fund the development of at least three alternatives with associated costs for replacing the barrier culvert, recommend a preferred alternative and develop final plans for the preferred alternative. The final engineered design will be a full span structure and allow for all life cycles of Washington State native fish species to rear, migrate and spawn. Anadromous fish species include Steelhead, Chum, Coho, Sea-run Cutthroat and some value to Chinook as well. The completed project will open up over 3.5 miles of upstream habitat and connect an extensive wetland complex. This project will be managed through the Thurston County Fish Passage Enhancement Program.
